"You know, it's really strange today, can't seem to find a taxi anywhere."

Having lost the fan, Xu Qinglang re-stacked the components, ready to go home and assemble the computer.

"Just bad luck, I guess." Zhou Ze didn't think much of it, walking outside the store to light a cigarette.

The morning sun was still quite pleasant.

Bai Yingying didn't like sunshine, perhaps related to her identity and nature, but she wasn't like a zombie in an old Hong Kong movie, turning to dust upon contact with sunlight.

According to Xu Qinglang, Bai Yingying, nourished by Madam Bai's soul for two hundred years, was no longer ordinary. While not as terrifying as the powerful *hanba* (drought demon), she was no longer a low-level zombie.

Indeed, if Bai Yingying wished, she could change her identity and integrate into city life.

But her soul-blood was in Zhou Ze's hands; she couldn't leave. Besides, she didn't seem willing to leave, fearing being struck by lightning one day; Heaven didn't favor her.

"Smoke less; you're smoking too much lately."

The sister-in-law also walked out of the store, seemingly planning to go out and have fun.

Zhou Ze ignored her.

Actually, Zhou Ze envied her. Growing up pampered, she was a simple and innocent soul, but that was a kind of happiness.

Unlike himself, a child raised in an orphanage, he always had a congenital sense of insecurity. Anyone wanting to improve would spare no effort to do so.

Like his childhood friend Wang Ke, working day and night, not even knowing when his wife went out to get her hair done.

People...

Seem to be just this way. A red car quickly drove up to the road in front of Zhou Ze's store.

Out stepped acquaintances: Wang Ke's wife, and that little loli.

"Hello, big sister, hello, uncle."

The little loli greeted them sweetly.

The sister-in-law couldn't help but squat down and pinch the little loli's cheeks, saying, "This little one is so cute."

The woman smiled at Zhou Ze and said, "I'm going to get my hair done; she'll read here for a while."

"Okay." Zhou Ze agreed.

The woman thanked him and turned back to the car, driving away with a hurried air.

The sister-in-law also took a taxi and left, reminding Zhou Ze again to cover for her.

At the store entrance, the little loli stood beside Zhou Ze, who was squatting there smoking.

"You're back, aren't you?" Zhou Ze suddenly said.

"Uncle, what are you saying?" The little loli looked confused, innocent and cute.

"Heh."

Zhou Ze reached out and patted the little loli's head.

"Let's go, let's read."

Zhou Ze chose *Guwen Guanzhi* (Anthology of Classical Chinese Prose) for the little loli and handed it to her, then asked, "How are your grades in school?"

"My grades are very good!" The little loli said proudly.

"Do you have any hobbies?" Zhou Ze asked again.

"I dance ballet, and I'm learning to play the piano," the little loli replied.

"Want something to drink?"

"I want to drink cola." After saying that, the little loli stuck out her tongue. "Mom usually doesn't let me drink it."

Zhou Ze nodded and went next door to Xu Qinglang's to get a can of cola.

"Here."

The little loli took the cola and sweetly said:

"Thank you, Uncle."

After taking a sip of cola, the little loli turned a page and began to read with relish.

"You're back."

Zhou Ze, holding a cup of water, suddenly said.

The cute expression on the little loli's face gradually faded, replaced by a seriousness similar to that of an adult.

Raising the book in her hand,

"When I realized I shouldn't have been reading this book, it was already too late."

The little loli was holding the *Guwen Guanzhi* that Zhou Ze had given her, and not a simplified or children's version.

"What are you here for?" Zhou Ze asked.

Was that one in Rong City resolved?

So, she was back?

"I just came back from Hell; I missed you and came to see you." The little loli stood up, tilted her head slightly, looked at Zhou Ze, and smiled, "I've noticed you're pretty lazy and slacking off."

"I don't understand what you mean," Zhou Ze asked.

"The performance report shows that my performance in this region is at the bottom." The little loli licked her lips. "I told you to handle things, but I didn't tell you to be so lazy."

"Performance report?" Zhou Ze's heart skipped a beat when he heard that.

"What's wrong? Did you think being a *guicha* (ghost soldier) didn't require performance reviews?" the little loli retorted.

"Can you… let me see it?"

"Why don't you ask why I can't just give it to you?"

The little loli moved closer to Zhou Ze; she wanted to meet his eyes, but she was too short. Instead, Zhou Ze was looking down at her.

This made her uncomfortable.

She waved her hand,

Angrily saying:

"Pick me up."

Zhou Ze bent down, picked up the little loli, and raised her so her eyes were level with his.

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking." The little loli's cold fingers stroked Zhou Ze's chin for a moment. "Do you want to become a permanent employee?"

Zhou Ze nodded.

There was nothing to be ashamed of admitting.

"I can give you some hope. I'll be going to Rong City in a while. Once I've dealt with that troublemaker, I might get a chance to be promoted.

At that time, my original position can be transferred to you, as long as you can bring my performance back up in the next month."

The little loli was dangling a carrot in front of Zhou Ze.

Zhou Ze understood a bit. The little loli's behavior was like someone working at a company and handing over their tasks to someone else to do for them while they did freelance work.

"Perhaps, I can look forward to another possibility," Zhou Ze said.

"What possibility?"

"You die in Rong City, and then the position will naturally become mine."

From the bottom of his heart, Zhou Ze didn't want that person to have an accident. After all, she had helped him in his dream last time.

As for why he was being so blunt, it was simple: there was no need for too much roundabout talk between them.

"Heh..."

The little loli didn't get angry or upset; instead, she jumped out of Zhou Ze's arms, put her hands behind her back, and said:

"Do you think that one still has a chance? Do you know how many *guicha* came this time?"

"You shouldn't have explained it to me." Zhou Ze lit another cigarette, blew out a smoke ring, and said, "An explanation is an admission that you're also afraid."

"Don't overestimate him, and don't flatter yourself." The little loli turned around, her deep eyes staring at Zhou Ze. "Aren't you a doctor? Why would you want me to die?

Aren't people lovable?"

"Oh, what a cute child! Where did you come from?"

Bai Yingying happened to be coming down from the second floor and, seeing the little loli, happily walked over, ready to hug the child.

"Madam Bai?"

The little loli frowned slightly.

"Uh..."

Even Bai Yingying, as simple as she was, knew that the child in front of her wasn't just some neighborhood kid.

"Oh, your old neighbor has accumulated enough merit and has gone down there; you're the shell she left behind." The little loli glared at Zhou Ze. "You keep her by your side; no wonder fewer ghosts are actively coming to you!"

"You are?" Bai Yingying asked tentatively.

"I don't have much time; I'm just here to remind you. I'm not afraid you have other thoughts; who doesn't have other thoughts?"

The little loli walked to the bookshelf, head held high.

"I'll be back in a month. I don't know if you can take over my position, and I don't know if I can be sure of a promotion.

But if you fail to improve my performance next month,

There's no need for you to stay in this *yangjian* (mortal realm). Return to your Hell and wait to drink Meng Po's soup."

After saying those words, the little loli tilted her head, and her whole body fainted. Immediately afterward, a black light suddenly rose,

biu!

Shooting directly into the ground!

"Boss, who is she? Is she a judge of the underworld?" Bai Yingying asked Zhou Ze.

"She's a *guicha*. I'm a temporary worker; she's a permanent employee." Zhou Ze picked up the sleeping little loli and carried her to the boss's chair behind his counter, covering her with a blanket.

"She's just a *guicha*; she doesn't seem as imposing as a judge of the underworld."

"Have you seen a judge of the underworld?"

"No."

"What status will your Madam have when she goes down there?"

"I'm not sure, but she should get a title from Hell."

At this moment, a middle-aged man in a police uniform pushed open the bookstore door and walked in.

As soon as he entered,

He felt the temperature in the bookstore seem to rise, and Zhou Ze and Bai Yingying both sensed a feeling of unease.

Like thorns on their backs.

Zhou Ze turned around, looking at him. The man was wearing a police cap, and the national emblem on it shone brightly in the sunlight.

He had a square face, thick lips, and a large build, quite imposing.

"Boss, recommend a few good books to read. I'm going on a business trip later; I need something to relieve boredom on the way," the police officer said, taking off his hat and scratching his head.

"Oh, okay."

Zhou Ze smiled slightly, observed the officer carefully for a while, and confirmed that he wasn't a ghost.

Then he turned to the bookshelf, found a few books, and handed them to him.

The police officer reached out and took the stack of books, pausing when he saw the first one; it was actually "Basic Knowledge of Public Security."

Turning to the second book,

The police officer paused again; it was "The People's Police Law of the People's Republic of China."

Below were two more books: "The Theory and Practice of Conflict Resolution" and "Explanation of Grappling and Fighting Techniques."

The police officer took a deep breath, seemingly considering how to phrase his words, then put down the books in his hand.

"I misspoke just now. I'm taking my son on a trip with me; I'm afraid he'll be bored on the way, so I want to buy him a few books to pass the time. He likes to read horror."

"Oh, I understand."

Zhou Ze took out two books from the box below and handed them back to the officer,

They were "Horror Web Novels" and "Terror Radio."

The police officer nodded in satisfaction:

"This is good."